Injury road collisons in Wales down 11%

The number of road collisions where people suffered injuries in Wales dropped by 11% last year, figures show. There were 4,921 such crashes in 2016 - 622 fewer than 2015, according to the Welsh Government's annual report.

However, "little progress" has been made on cutting serious motorbike crashes.

The Welsh Government has set targets to cut the number of people killed or seriously injured (KSI) on Welsh roads by 2020, compared to the average for 2004-2008 - about 1,180.

For the first time the KSI target for young people - a 40% drop - was met in 2016.

The overall number of collisions which resulted in death or serious injury in Wales in 2016 - 975 - was 21% lower than the average in 2004-08, with authorities seeking to bring that down a further 19 percentage points by 2020.

However, there has only been a 1% drop in the number of motorcyclists killed or seriously injured in crashes in Wales, with a 25% drop targeted by 2020. That is despite the latest figures showing the number of motorcycle-crash casualties hitting a four-year low in 2016 - 662 - after a previous peak in 2014.

In total, 103 people were killed in collisions on Welsh roads - two fewer than in 2015.

Road safety charity, Brake, said it was "good news" fewer people were being injured or killed on Welsh roads. "However, more needs to be done to bring this figure down further," a spokesman added.

"Motorcyclists, along with cyclists and pedestrians, are among the most vulnerable road users, that's why it's so crucial drivers remain vigilant at all times, and do everything they can to look out for and protect people around them, whether they're on motorbikes, bicycles or on foot."

Brake called for "ambitious casualty reduction figures" and the introduction of "widespread 20mph speed limits".